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The Legend of Albert Jacka

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The Legend of Albert Jacka

By: Peter FitzSimons
Narrated by: Cameron Goodall
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About this listen

 Our heroes can come from the most ordinary of places. As a shy lad growing up in country Victoria, no one in the district had any idea the man Albert Jacka would become.

Albert 'Bert' Jacka was 21 when Britain declared war on Germany in August 1914. Bert soon enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force and the young private was assigned to 14th Battalion D Company. By the time they shipped out to Egypt he'd been made a Lance Corporal.

On 26 April 1915, 14th Battalion landed at Gallipoli under the command of Brigadier General Monash's 4th Infantry Brigade. It was here, on 20 May, that Lance Corporal Albert Jacka proved he was 'the bravest of the brave'. The Turks were gaining ground with a full-scale frontal attack and as his comrades lay dead or dying in the trenches around him, Jacka single-handedly held off the enemy onslaught. The Turks retreated.

Jacka's extraordinary efforts saw him awarded the Victoria Cross, the first for an Australian soldier in World War I. He was a national hero, but Jacka's wartime exploits had only just begun: moving on to France, he battled the Germans at Pozières, earning a Military Cross for what historian Charles Bean called 'the most dramatic and effective act of individual audacity in the history of the AIF'. Then at Bullecourt, his efforts would again turn the tide against the enemy. There would be more accolades and adventures before a sniper's bullet and then gassing at Villers-Bretonneux sent Bert home.

The Legend of Albert Jacka is an unforgettable story of the bravery and sacrifice of one extraordinary soldier that takes us from the shores of Gallipoli to the battlefields of France, all brought to vivid life by Australia's greatest storyteller, Peter FitzSimons.©2024 Peter FitzSimons (P)2024 Hachette Australia Audio Australia, New Zealand & Oceania Historical Military War Solider Sniper Africa
All stars
Most relevant
I rarely leave reviews and I’ve listened to over 100 audiobooks. Cameron’s delivery of this story to the listener is just a treat.
The narrator really can make a big difference to the overall enjoyment of listening to a book. Well done Cameron, I’ll now look for other works of yours.

The Narration is brilliant

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Another wonderful addition to the Jacka canon. FitzSimons’ and his research team have managed to add to this legend of one of our greatest heroes and the of the AiF in World War One. The storytelling is moving, funny and inspiring. Highly recommended.

Another brilliant yarn by FitzSimons

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Amazing book one of the best I’ve listened to . Never liked Peter fitzsimons but by god this was amazing

An amazing listen I actually think Peter fitzsimons is a tosser bit by god this is a great listen

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Fitzsimmons again pulls out the human stories in the history.
I have read a bit about WW1 but never realised how Jacka was a part of so much of what I read and he survived what shouldn’t have been survivable. It reads like a fiction, you would think someone was pulling your leg, Jason Bourne, Jack Reacher, Rambo couldn’t hold a candle to the bloke.
The stories of those that fought with him and those that survived and those that never made it, really brought out the character of the Australians of the time. The relationships that Jacka had with his men and the hierarchy fill out so much detail that would be missed in a dry retelling of the history.

I am ashamed I didn’t know more about Jacka

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this book told me a story of a real Aussie hero who is very humbled and compassionate about his mates, army and all humanity

True humbled Aussie hero

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the emblem of Australia. what a remarkable man. This book was so well done and peter should be so proud I believe it's his best yet.

what a man, what a soldier

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Totally baffled as to why the story of Albert Jacka (& Sir John Monash) isn’t taught in school. This is an excellent book well written, well researched and well read.

An amazing but little known story

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Peter Fitzsimons is in his sweet spot when he tells our stories of WW1. It is another cracking yarn about an often heard off; but little understood “ordinary” Aussie.

Outstanding.

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The narrator made this an extra special read of the life of an Australian that I more than appreciate but I wish was taught to our kids to give them a sense of why we are unique in this current world...

Great read!!

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A fantastic story about a legendary man who stood for his men through thick and thin. The bravery of all our Australian soldiers, ready when ever they were called on

An Australian Legand

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